Process for producing shading-off ornamentation on leather



. Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLY KNOLL, OF STUTTGART, GERMANY.

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SHADING-OFF ORNAMENTATION 0N LEATHER.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLY KNoLL, a citi- Zen of Germany, residing at Stuttgart, Germany, have. invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Producing Shading-Off Ornamentation on Leather, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a process for producing shading-off color effects on leather on a large scale and in any desired design. The invention can be carried out on any kind of leather, either directly on the leather or on a previously prepared background. In the present new process, leather of any size can be so decorated and can be used for automobile and furniture upholstery, large table coverings, etc. The leather can be in any condition, such as smooth, rough, granulated or ribbed, depending upon the eifect desired, and any color schemes can be employed, either with or without a background.

In its broadest aspect-the new prodess consists in covering a portion of the leather by means of any suitable pattern device and to apply the color in any suitable manner such as spraying over the edge of the pattern which will completely color the leather immediately adjacent the edge of the pattern but will shade off as the distance increases from the edge of the pattern. Such distance will of course be dependent upon the effect desired and can be regulated by using a more or less quantity of color. The pattern can comprise any desired outline, which includes outlines in the shape of flowers, birds, trees, etc. The pattern can furthermore be provided with perforations which will allow the color to reach the leather through the perforations, the essential feature being that a portion of the leather comprising any shape is covered and the color is applied in order to produce the shading-01f effect. The color contains a fixing means, such as varnish or' a nitrocellulose solution in order to permanently bind the color to the leather, so that the color will not rub off during wear and will not crack when the leather is folded.

In order to obtain a complete understanding of the present process three specific examples will be set forth, giving in detail all of the steps of the process.

In order to obtain a specific shading-off color effect on the leather in its natural color,

Application filed October 12, 1925. Serial No. 62,174.

that'is without any staining or other previous color preparation, the desired pattern is placed on the leather, that is a portion of the leather is covered, and the color containing the fixing means, is then applied directly on the leather by spraying under pressure or any other suitable manner until the desired amount of color has been applied to produce the shading-off effect. When a small pattern is used this can of course be repeated at desired spaced intervals on the leather until the entire surface has been decorated. If a second color is desired, it is only necessary to repeat this step at a different angle or angles.

A second way of securing the desired effect is obtained by first staining, dyeing, varnishing, enameling or otherwise applying a background over the entire surface of the leather and then placing the pattern on the leather, thus covering a portion thereof, whereafter a color is applied or sprayed over the edge of the pattern directly on the background. The background can of course be any color and also the shading-off decoration can be of any desired color or shade and width.

A third way of carrying out this new process consists in applying a background, if desired, and then covering a portion of the leather to thus apply or spray a color over the edge of the pattern. Then a second shading-01f color effect can be carried out,

either directly on the first shading-off color or on an unshaded portion at a different angle, depending'upon the effect desired.

It isof course understood that the steps of covering the leather and applying the 1 color can-be carried out in a repeated manner in order to cover the entire surface of the leather to be decorated, or the color can be applied over the entire surface in a single step in order to produce the shading-off effects, depending upon the specific pattern required. It is therefore possible to mechanically produce alarge decorated leather surface at a small cost and very little expenditure of time, and also to produce leather fabric having a limitless number of designs in all colors and combinations.

I claim as my invention:

1. A process for producing a shading-off color effect on leather, which consists in the Steps of covering a portion of the leather by means of a pattern; and then applying tion of the leather by means of a pattern;'

a color containing a fixing means over the edge of the pattern to produce a shadingofi efi'ect. v p

2. Aprocess for producing a shading-0E c'olor effect on leather, which consists inthe steps of applying a background over the entire surface of the leather; covering a porand applying a color containing a ,fixing means over the edge of the pattern on the background to-produce a shading-off effect.

3. A process for producing a shading-ofi' color effect on leather,'Which consists in the steps of covering a portion of the leather by means of a pattern; and then spraying a color containing a fixing means over the edge of the pattern to produce a shadingotfeffect.

4. A process for producing a shading-off color effect on leather, which consists in the steps of applying a background over the entire surface of the leather; covering a portion of the leather by nieans of a pattern;

and spraying a color containing a fixing means over the edge of the pattern -on the background to produce a shading-off effect.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' WILLY KNOLL. 

